Hollow dildos with holes in them?

Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
I have been in correspondence with a DonWands staff member and was informed that the deluxe/lattachino style toys are done 'inside out', which means the toy is hollow. I was also informed they have a hole in them, which is not plugged.

From other reviewers and video evidence as well as forum discussion, I have discovered that yes, some other companies have hollow toys but after a certain thickness this is okay- it becomes just as durable. However in the DonWands toy I saw footage of the toy was very thin, and the hole had been plugged, but the plug was removed when discovered- the hole was also large enough for the toy to easily take on water, but the water became trapped in the toy and was not able to be removed.

At this point, after confirming yes the toys are hollow and yes they have holes, the DonWands rep stopped responding to me. If this is true, can you please start informing purchasers of this? There are many reasons why this would interfere with someone's purchasing decision.

If this is not true, please confront representative "Mike S." since he was the one who confirmed this for me.

I looked on your website and nowhere does it say the toys are hollow or have holes. So please if this is true, admit it so that you can sell your toys as what they actually are, and so people are not misled.
08/29/2009
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08/29/2009
Contributor: Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady
The Don Wands issue aside (which is totally gross btw):

I would really like to know which glass dildos available on EF are hollow and which are not. I realize I could write to each manufacturer, but I think this should be included in the product specs.
08/29/2009
Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
Quote:
Originally posted by Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady
The Don Wands issue aside (which is totally gross btw):

I would really like to know which glass dildos available on EF are hollow and which are not. I realize I could write to each manufacturer, but I think this should be included in the ... more
I'd like to know too. Some high end ones are- and safe or not, its good to be informed
08/29/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
Just for the record, I am relatively sure that Phallix dildos are solid. The weight of them seems to attest to that.
08/30/2009
Contributor: spicywife spicywife
Quote:
Originally posted by Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady
The Don Wands issue aside (which is totally gross btw):

I would really like to know which glass dildos available on EF are hollow and which are not. I realize I could write to each manufacturer, but I think this should be included in the ... more
I didn't know some were!
08/30/2009
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Backseat Boohoo
Just for the record, I am relatively sure that Phallix dildos are solid. The weight of them seems to attest to that.
According to what I was hearing on Twitter the other day, either from Epiphora or Darling Dove, some Phallix dildos are also hollow; more than likely their inside out ones, as well.

It has something to do with the process of how they're made. That particular process requires a hollow core.
08/30/2009
Contributor: Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady
Adam from Xhale said here: link that some of their products are hollow as well, and explained why some hollow glass is bad and some isn't - still going on to say "most hollow pieces should be a major concern."

To me, this is similar to the "Silicone" claims by manufacturers when there is actually only a small percentage of silicone in the product. Eden takes the steps to let us know which products are actually 100% silicone and which are otherwise.

My request is the same type of information on solid vs. hollow glass. I don't really know if that is possible or even what information should be offered, but I don't think I'm going to buy any more glass until I know exactly which manufacturers produce hollow glass and which don't.
08/30/2009
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady
Adam from Xhale said here: link that some of their products are hollow as well, and explained why some hollow glass is bad and some isn't - still going on to say "most hollow pieces should be a major concern."

To me, this is ... more
Maybe they could list a thickness of the walls, and have thickness ranges as part of the safety ranking (maybe 9.1 for the thinnest that's still safe, 9.5 for medium thickness, up through 10 for so-thick-it's-uber-saf e and for solid glass).

As Adam from Xhale said, even a "cheap" hollow glass toy is pretty safe, because your body can't produce enough pressure to break it. He may have said "a major concern," but he later said that there's probably nothing to worry about. It may someday break, but it won't be in your body. It will be, for example, when it rolls off the counter and falls onto the tile floor, or when it slips out of your hand during washing and chips on the porcelain sink.

A little perspective here: while a thinner walled glass toy isn't as shatterproof as a thick-walled one, it's still much safer than a rubber toy or a TPR toy. A rubber toy can harbor bacteria and give you infections while you use it. A "thinnest safe" glass toy may break or chip when it's not being used, but it won't break inside you or cut you as long as you always check for chips and cracks before every use.

(If any of the above isn't true, please correct me.)
08/30/2009
Contributor: Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady Not Here Anymore f/k/a Happy Lady
Quote:
Originally posted by Luscious Lily
Maybe they could list a thickness of the walls, and have thickness ranges as part of the safety ranking (maybe 9.1 for the thinnest that's still safe, 9.5 for medium thickness, up through 10 for so-thick-it's-uber-saf e and for solid ... more
The thickness range is a good suggestion.

There is also the issue of microfractures, which I would think would be more likely to occur in thinner-walled hollow dildos. This is an issue Sarah Sloane discussed with Adam from Xhale that she references here: link.
08/30/2009
Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
It seems the lattachino styles are indeed hollow, even the ones by Phallix. Myself and Miss KissThis both have different lattachino dildos from Phallix that appear to be hollow.

However, they don't have HOLES in the ends of them.
08/30/2009
Contributor: Miss KissThis Miss KissThis
I emailed Phallix this morning, asking the thickness of the glass of my lattachino wand, as well as how it was produced to ensure there aren't any holes. I'll keep you guys updated with what I hear back.
08/30/2009
Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
Yes hollow dildos CAN be safe... but only at a certain thickness. The DW toy I saw was very thin at the end with the hole. As well, Xhale is referring to using a hollow core and building onto it as far as I know. To go even further with this, just because it wont be crushed by you, it is still less durable in the long run, AND the hole will collect bacteria and take on water.

It depends on the quality of the manufacturing process as well as the overall thickness of the glass. DW just doesn't seem to have either factor on their side until they state so and prove us wrong- either the thinness in the toy I saw was a fluke, or its considered 'safe' by them despite looking only a few MM thick.
08/30/2009
Contributor: Juliettia Juliettia
Maybe it's just me but the words, hollow, glass, vagina, all in the same sentence make me cringe. Thickness isn't even an issue.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
Quote:
Originally posted by Juliettia
Maybe it's just me but the words, hollow, glass, vagina, all in the same sentence make me cringe. Thickness isn't even an issue.
I'm not fussed so much about hollowness (although if the glass were THIN and hollow, that'd be a problem), but I do worry about leaving holes open. It's like asking to have bacteria gather in your toy, or to have the edge of the hole possibly cut you.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
Quote:
Originally posted by Backseat Boohoo
I'm not fussed so much about hollowness (although if the glass were THIN and hollow, that'd be a problem), but I do worry about leaving holes open. It's like asking to have bacteria gather in your toy, or to have the edge of the hole ... more
The DW toy in question was thin and hollow, at least in my opinion. Not sure if all their pieces are as thin..
08/31/2009
Contributor: Saraid Saraid
I totally agree that EF should list what is hollow and what is not. I would be even better if they could list the thickness of the walls as well.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
I want to make an update to this thread..
As of now I am not legally able to disclose any contact I have with Don Wands. However, all info in this thread and on my blog was posted BEFORE this notice was served to me and the notice is not retroactive as far as I know. So, unless they publicly speak on the matter, I have to bow out for now as far as informing people of what they say.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Wow, I had no idea that some of the Phallix toys were hollow. I just ordered Kira's violet sidekick and now I'm nervous I understand that hollow toys can be safe, too, but if I ding mine and miss the ding, and the ding begins to fracture...I don't know. Too many possible ways I could fuck it up. I need my toys to be idiot proof
08/31/2009
Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
Quote:
Originally posted by Owl Identified
Wow, I had no idea that some of the Phallix toys were hollow. I just ordered Kira's violet sidekick and now I'm nervous I understand that hollow toys can be safe, too, but if I ding mine and miss the ding, and the ding begins to fracture...I ... more
Solid toys can fracture as much as hollow ones can. The only difference with hollow ones, I believe, is that for Don Wands at least, they did not recommend freezing them- I don't know if extreme temperatures either way are okay for hollow toys due to the air within them.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Hello all. I contacted the Eden Product Manager - and here's the plan: We will contact each glass manufacturer and ask for a list of all of the hollow dildos they make and for measurements of their thickness. When (and if) we get this information back from the manufacturers, we will post this info on our site.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
Hello all. I contacted the Eden Product Manager - and here's the plan: We will contact each glass manufacturer and ask for a list of all of the hollow dildos they make and for measurements of their thickness. When (and if) we get this information ... more
Awesome! Thanks for tracking down this info for us. I know a lot of people will be very reassured to have access to this information.
08/31/2009
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Dove
Solid toys can fracture as much as hollow ones can. The only difference with hollow ones, I believe, is that for Don Wands at least, they did not recommend freezing them- I don't know if extreme temperatures either way are okay for hollow toys ... more
I think the issue would be the water much more than the air- air compresses/expands (when chilled it compresses), whereas water expands when frozen and won't compress.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Don Wands Don Wands
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Dove
I have been in correspondence with a DonWands staff member and was informed that the deluxe/lattachino style toys are done 'inside out', which means the toy is hollow. I was also informed they have a hole in them, which is not plugged. ... more
As a representative of Don Wands, I would like to introduce myself to the Eden Fantasy community. I am the Mike S. that Darling Dove referred to in the first post on this thread. I would first like to apologize, and say that I was mistaken when I initially said the hole was not plugged in the lattachino pieces that we carry. I checked with our quality control department this morning, and realized I was terribly mistaken in my former correspondence to Darling Dove, and that all our lattachino pieces are plugged. The leaking Don Wands piece that was shown in the video was flawed, since it was leaking prior to the plug being removed as it is shown on the video. We thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, as it will help us improve the quality of our products.

We would also like the Eden Fantasy community to know that the very few styles of lattachino glass wands we have, are the only ones with the hollow centers. Though the glass may not appear to be very thick in these styles, we can assure you the glass is in no way as thin as it may look.

If anyone has any questions about any of the pieces in the Don Wands line, please feel free to contact us at info@donwands.com.

Best Regards,

Mike S.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Don Wands
As a representative of Don Wands, I would like to introduce myself to the Eden Fantasy community. I am the Mike S. that Darling Dove referred to in the first post on this thread. I would first like to apologize, and say that I was mistaken when I ... more
Thanks for the post, Mike. It's nice to know the hollow type toys are plugged and totally understandable that occasionally one is defective.

I know folks have gotten defective stuff from other toy makers, too. It's normal when creating anything to have the occasional issue.

I think it'll be reassuring to a lot of people to know the wands are sealed and that they aren't filled with liquid and that, normally, the episode everyone has been on and on about wouldn't happen. That it's not the norm.

I have the Don Wands Sunshine Helix dildo and it's absolutely my favorite glass piece yet.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Don Wands
As a representative of Don Wands, I would like to introduce myself to the Eden Fantasy community. I am the Mike S. that Darling Dove referred to in the first post on this thread. I would first like to apologize, and say that I was mistaken when I ... more
Thanks for replying so quickly, Mike. It is good to know that only the Lattachino toys are hollow. I still love my Rainbow Mega Nubby.

I know it must be hard to track down feedback about your products all over the internet and still manage to get some work done too - I appreciate that you are offering your email address for direct feedback from the public - that's really great. Hopefully people use it!
08/31/2009
Contributor: Darling Dove Darling Dove
While most people may simply want to brush this aside and move on I find it irresponsible to do so. The person with the defective toy was promised a replacement and never received it. As well, saying 'It is not as thin as it appears' is a bit of a cop out in my honest opinion. If it's not as thin as it appears then how thin is it? You can see, when you look closely, that some other inside out style toys are hollow, but they are rather thick and have no hole. Silicone and glass are both materials that do not adhere well to other things, so plugging the hole with silicone that can be removed is a poor choice in my opinion- additionally, most higher end toys seem to be hole-less.

In addition I find the company's behavior to have been a bit odd. As soon as it was found out I was posting this elsewhere, I got a reply with some nice legalese seeming to try to scare me into shutting up. Having consulted others, it was deduced that there was no use to the statement since I had not agreed to any sort of confidentiality, and it was merely a scare tactic.

DonWands, what irritates me is not so much that the toys are hollow. It is that your company did not at any point disclose it. In fact I would be willing to overlook the hole if it was disclosed fully. But the fact that I have heard from fellow reviewers that they asked you guys about these issues and got the cold shoulder, then I got a reply and THEN you seemingly tried to scare me off of it, it just seems like a massive chain of dishonesty.

Now lets assume you were not trying to scare me. Okay. You still don't disclose things things unless asked, and the glass still appears to be thin enough to be unsafe. Even if it is not, hollow toys are more susceptible to chipping or breaking due to the thinner glass. Maybe body weight can't crush it, but LIFE still can, and solid glass toys are honestly? very viable as heavy blunt weapons in a pinch, they are very strong. Hollow stuff.. not so much.

So please... disclose these things, don't hide them, offer measurements of thickness or perhaps do a stress test to say how many lbs of force it can resist before breaking. Informed customers are happy customers- and until the vid, and people asking, nobody was informed of any of this.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Adam Burns Adam Burns
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Dove
While most people may simply want to brush this aside and move on I find it irresponsible to do so. The person with the defective toy was promised a replacement and never received it. As well, saying 'It is not as thin as it appears' is a bit ... more
As President of XHale, I just wanted to let everyone out there know that the Don Wands glass toyline is probably the highest quality glass import product in the marketplace. My partner and Vice President of XHale, Kevin Kroldart, have been watching the company blossom over the past several years. From what we can see, their techniques are appropriate, safe, and would pass our highest quality control standards. All manufacturers have hollow pieces..include XHale and Phallix. We only solicit one item currently, but I will tell everyone that it is our most expensive piece in our catalogue because it is the most difficult to make by hand..only 3 or 4 glassblowers in the States are capable of making it for us..at least how it should be made. Materials used and technique ultimately determine the structural integrity of a finished glass product. Don Wands does an excellent job at manufacturing, and I would personally recommend and use their products if I were in the market for a less expensive glass toy.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Adam Burns
As President of XHale, I just wanted to let everyone out there know that the Don Wands glass toyline is probably the highest quality glass import product in the marketplace. My partner and Vice President of XHale, Kevin Kroldart, have been watching ... more
Whoa, Adam! I am floored by your show of collegiality. Thank you for the information - I am guessing that people assume quite opposite about hollow pieces and perceive them to be cheap, not expensive and difficult to make.
08/31/2009
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Glass breaks.

I've broken corningwear and pyrex cookware more times than I can count.

I'm starting to feel like this is a witch hunt on Don Wands and it's really sad.

When DBD stated that she had a very expensive glass Phallix dildo break last winter, no one said anything other than "oh, how odd".

But since it's Don Wands this accident happened to - and somebody decided to video tape it - it's a huge deal.

It's pretty simple, really.

Glass and ceramic can break.

It probably IS time for the companies who make glass sex toys to give us some realistic specs on those glass products but, man, this "Don Wands this" and "Don Wands that" stuff is SO old.

Let's focus on getting info about glass toys in general rather than incessantly bad talking a particular company, eh? It can't possibly make that company want to communicate further with anyone if they're constantly being singled out.

Don Wands is a toy manufacturer. They've done some... well, frankly, bad handling of the incidents with their product. Perhaps they'll learn to handle PR a bit better after all this. But can't we at least try to stop the bullying and attacking one company and try to get the useful safety info from ALL the glass toy producers?

It would be ever so much more productive.
08/31/2009